>written by fans for fans
this ought to catch you up, the show is getting exciting now.

This season was exciting in the beginning as we all waited to see if either of our marquee players would make it past the first commercial. It didn’t take long to evict Russell using his own hubris as a weapon.

Since then we have all been grateful for Phillip. He gives us something to watch while the chess match that is the first half of Survivor is played.

Got thoughts? Post them at the end.

The chess match portion of the game is important, critical even. It’s just that it’s not necessarily entertaining to watch. A whispers to B and C and D sneak off into the underbrush to discuss X.

So thank goodness for Phillip. Phillip doesn’t play chess. I’m not sure what game Phillip is playing. World of Warcraft without a computer, perhaps?

Question: Has there ever been a player who has so thoroughly trashed his own chances at surviving post merge as Phillip?

The point of having two separate tribes leading up to the merge is the unknown.

Theoretically the people on Purple have seen Phillip only at competitions.

Theoretically they should have him listed as a big guy who is about a C-minus competitor in strength and agility and is untested in puzzles.

In reality there is Phillip’s mouth. He has managed to broadcast his weirdness at the duels.

Purple may not really know what Phillip is, but they are bound to have a fair idea that he’s more a starter pistol than a secret weapon.

And the moment Phillip introduces himself as Secret Agent Man Leader of the Known Universe, the Purple tribe will hurt themselves laughing.

What I personally really want to see is Phillip throwing down against David. David also has a hair trigger but David is bright. He won’t take any of this melodrama from Phillip. Phillip will then explode about his being deserving of respect because he’s older or some such nonsense.

Time your drinking carefully if this happens. You will otherwise have a problem with your nose.

The remaining two things the Powers That Be have told us about this week are that the surviving combatant on Redemption Island will come back this week and that Matt is hurt.

The first is most likely true. It’s hard to lie about a statement like that. The second is probably a red herring.

Matt probably has cut his foot. We know from every season that James the Gravedigger played that a cut on Survivor can be a one-way ticket home. But, at the same time the voice-over was telling us that Matt is hurt, they were showing us Matt walking with nary a limp.

So, I think Matt has hurt his foot. I think Matt will come through the duel just fine.

I think they need to manufacture any and all drama possible before they show us Matt going head to head with the ever-so accomplished Sarita.

We open tonight with the after Tribal debrief in the dark.

No hard feelings about the vote for David, or so David says.

There is also a lot of restating the obvious. Sarita arrives at Redemption Island and although neither Matt nor Sarita says anything meaningful to the other, each restates the obvious to us. Ho Hum.

Matt has done the math and has decided that the merge is upon us and that Sarita might be the last duel he’ll have to wage. He doesn’t think it will be hard to beat her. I hope that’s not foreshadowing because I agree with him.

Interestingly, Matt is now pondering the possibility of going against the Yellow group if/when he gets back in the game. Give a man enough time alone with nothing to do but think, and he might just think! That’s one of the nifty aspects of Redemption Island.

The sun comes up and Yellow fetches their tree mail.

The message says the whole tribe will come witness the duel. Voices all say “merge”. They have waited for this since day two so they are bound to read “merge” into any message but this time they are right.

Phillip takes the time to explain that to us. That would be in case we have been asleep for seven weeks, or otherwise occupied. Thank you, Phillip. What would we do without you?

Then just to prove that he is the most contrary person ever to breathe, when Rob suggests that everyone take their stuff with them in case it is the merge and in case they wind up at the other beach, Phillip says “I think they will come here.”

After he postures for a bit, however, common sense and a reluctance to continue being the “red headed stepchild” prevail and Phillip packs up.

Sidebar: the phrase “red headed stepchild” is one I have used off and on forever to indicate someone who doesn’t quite fit in. As God is my witness, I shall NEVER use that phrase again.

Over at the Purple beach, the mail readers are a little less certain that the message means merge but are willing to consider their options in case it is so. Mike tells us that he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with Rob.

The testosterone levels just ramped up.

Over at Redemption Island we get Matt showing us his cut foot. He says “pretty badly”. Well, considering this is the jungle, it looks pretty good.

I will grant you that its position on the weight bearing edge of the foot would be awfully sore if the challenge is one of those stand on little pegs for a few hours types. But the foot looks remarkably clean as does the wound.

Matt again pledges to do his best for his God. Sarita declares herself confident and a worthy opponent.

Sarita always says good stuff like that.

As the competitors enter the arena, Jeff tells everyone that the winner today is back in the game.

We knew because of the previews. The others had hoped or maybe guessed.

There is a range of emotions expressed. Matt and Sarita are pleased. Rob not so much. He doesn’t want another strong person in the game. He’s obviously already put his money on Matt to prevail.

The game constructions, by the way, look kind of like giant telephone booths. Does that mean it is an endurance test where they have to stand on pegs? That’s just nuts if it’s true.

It’s true. Dang it. Did they decide on this one after Matt cut his foot?

I’m not paranoid or anything much!

At least while Sarita is a slender person, she’s not known for strength, stamina or staying power.

Yes, I’m rooting for Matt. The game will be dumb if he’s out and Sarita is in.

They are on each foothold for 15 minutes before they move down to smaller pegs. Mat has wrapped his bum foot. That’s good.

They have shifted down. Jeff is talking about pain and Matt is agreeing.

Jeff decides to kill time by pushing Phillip’s on-button. And seventeen minutes later Phillip is still blathering. Rob is cracking up. Steve just looks befuddled.

Purple is encouraging Sarita. Matt is readjusting. Sarita is just zoned out. Matt is struggling but Sarita is now cramping up. She falls and Matt returns to the game.

As she tosses her buff, Sarita makes a little speech about having tried hard and being bummed. Typical.

All buffs are exchanged. They are merged. They go to a new beach. And starting with the next Tribal Council, Redemption Island is back in force.

What? Yes, I heard about this in recent previews but I’m still blown away by the logistics of this. At what point will the Island Exile return? Think about when the jury will be formed. I need to think about this.

The new camp and the feast is next. No one seems to care about anything but eating. There is fruit, prosciutto, chicken, beverages, and bread. Next they get to choose a tribe name and build a whole new shelter.